SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – It's a traditional church festival and it has become very popular over the years. The Our Lady of Guadalupe church mercado on the eastside of Santa Barbara is annually mentioned in the same conversation as the 103-year-old Old Spanish Days Fiesta.
The two events are separate, but share the same message of bringing the community together.
Father Pedro Lopez is the Pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. He said, "oh my gosh, this Fiesta is something that has grown and has become an enormous event, not just for our parish but for the whole community."
It starts Friday for three days.
Thousands will come and go for hours of entertainment and multiple plates of food made from homemade recipes.
"The families that run the food booths they have been doing it for generations – the abuelitas, the grandmothers – they are more than happy to continue that tradition here year after year," said Father Pedro.
Those who attend church here will have their hands blessed at a special mass, before the weekend of work.
And those hands will be extended to the visitors....
Anthony Rodriguez is an event coordinator and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Parishioner. "We welcome everyone so come and enjoy the food and once you come you will be coming back year after year."
Some eat on the spot and many take food to go as well.
Father Pedro said, "just tamales we made close to 6000 pounds of masa to make tamales and hopefully that will be enough."
For those who are coming to the church mercado they also have a chance to pay their respects to the mosaic and mural for our Lady of Guadalupe on the corner of Montecito and Nopal streets that is surrounded by candles and flowers.
This mosaic was badly damaged in an attack by a man who has since passed away.
A plan is in the works to create an even more beautiful location for the public to gather and pray here in the future.
And the church mercado brings the message and the followers back together.
Father Pedro says, "but they always come back for Fiesta so this is a gathering place and a reunion for families and friends and people you haven't seen in awhile and say 'hey how ya doing?' It puts smiles on everyones faces."
The event will be welcoming with a large area of the property set for the music, and food. "Just make sure that everyone comes in make it a family affair because this is where traditions happen," said Rodriguez.
When the other mercado and stages close Saturday night elsewhere, there's one more day at the church.
"Sundays are very busy. We are the only ones that are open We want people to come in, we are separate from the other Fiesta," said Rodriguez.
For more information go to: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
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Our Lady of Guadalupe Church to Welcome Thousands at its Annual Mercado News Channel 3-12.
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